Fish and Wave

Fish comics

by Sergio Ruzzier

When a tiny wave grows bigger and bigger, what's a fish to do? Fish and Wave by Sergio Ruzzier is a playful exploration of what it really means to go with the flow.

Genres: Picture Books, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Fiction, Juvenile, Friendship, Graphic Novels Comics

48 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 2022

About the author

Website and blog: http://www.ruzzier.com

Sergio Ruzzier was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966.

He began his career as an illustrator in 1986.

In 1995 he moved to New York City, where he’s been creating pictures and stories for national and international magazines and book publishers.

His work has been awarded by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and The Society of Publication Designers.
He won the Parents' Choice Gold Medal for “The Room of Wonders” and for his illustrations for “Why Mole Shouted."

He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another cute beginner reader that actually introduces young readers to graphic novels. This one is pretty simplistic. Honestly, nothing happens beyond a fish meeting a wave and becoming intrigued that the wave gets bigger and bigger. Either way, I know that younger readers around the ages of 5-6 will get a kick out of reading this one and enjoying the artwork. I actually read this one to my three year old for bed time and we had such a fun time. I'm excited to check out the next one in the series. If you're looking for beginner readers that introduce younger readers to comics, I would definitely recommend checking out these "I Can Read - Comics" books.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple, beginner graphic novel. I think young kids will enjoy being about to read a graphic novel on their own but there really isn't much to the story.

[Maria Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

• 2023 Geisel Honor Book •

The illustrations are very beautiful and there are lessons of overcoming differences, learning how to fun together, standing up for yourself and giving someone a second chance. But it still doesn’t feel like there’s much to the story and I didn’t feel very engaged with the characters.

Materials used: unlisted

Typeface used: unlisted

[Deborah]

How does Sergio Ruzzier come up with ideas like this and then pull off a story with such perfect simplicity? I'd love to live in his head for a day.

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fish And Wave written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier, a Level 1 I Can Read! Comics 2023 Geisel Honor Book. Designed to teach beginner readers how to read comics/graphic novels, this book also teaches readers not to give up. Beautiful watercolor illustrations support an easy to read text sharing the story of Fish, who is trying to make friends with Wave. When Wave rises Fish suffers the consequences of being on the underside, but when Wave rises again, Fish follows Waves advice and holds on tight to the top. Emergent readers will feel a sense of accomplishment as they finish this story while adults will be able to discuss the lesson learned. Grades K-2.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day, while Fish was looking for someone to play with, they spotted a tiny wave, which grew and grew until it was a large scary wave. Fish was disappointed. Wave seemed so nice (and tiny), When they meet again, Wave explains that sometimes she rises (can't help it) and shows Fish a fun way they can play together.

Fish and Wave is a level 1 comic, designed to be a shared read. It's so cute - I can see taking turns and reading just one of the voices so the child can read with you. I loved the tutorial at the beginning, teaching the reader the basics of comics.

cross-posted to http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com

[Aseel Alhalaybeh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fish and Wave" by Sergio Ruzzier is a delightful aquatic adventure that will captivate readers of all ages with its whimsical charm and heartwarming message. In this enchanting picture book, Ruzzier takes readers on a journey beneath the waves, where an unlikely friendship blooms between a fish and a wave. At its heart, "Fish and Wave" is a story about the power of friendship to overcome differences and bridge divides. Despite being from different worlds, Fish and Wave form a deep bond through their shared experiences and mutual understanding. Through their adventures together, they learn valuable lessons about empathy, acceptance, and the importance of embracing diversity.

[Angie Counsell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute little story about a fish that plays with a wave. The story was simplistic enough for a level 1 reader but I missed some of the repetition that those books usually have. The colors in the book were very atypical and had the texture of a water color, which is a nice change but I wish the colors were a bit more realistic. An OK book but not one that kids are going to keep going back for again and again.

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fish meets Wave one day on the ocean surface. Wave seems friendly but can do scary things. Is Wave friend or foe?

This is quick and simple, but could correlate with many initial meetings that don't go smoothly. Fish and Wave quickly overcome their initial misunderstanding, and Wave helps Fish understand how to have fun together. Ruzzier's unique illustration style works very well for this tale.

[Jade Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to show to a child that is learning to read.It had easy vocabulary and the pictures were very clear to see what was going on. It had a cute storyline and a cute lesson within it. It was very cute how the fish was able to over come his fear of the wave and was able to have fun with it after it scared him at first. Overall I enjoyed this cute little easy read, I will definitely use this in the future when teaching kids how to read.

[Sym K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect way to build confidence in readers just learning to read, this I can Read Comics is a beginner friendly graphic novel.

Fish and wave by Sergio Ruzzier is a simple story about a fish, a wave, second chances and how to go with the flow.

Pretty illustrations in pastel watercolors and simple text.

A Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Book. (2023)

Author Illustrator: Sergio Ruzzier
Publisher: HarperAlley
Publish Date: 2022

Recommended Age: 4-8 years
Recommended Grade Level: preschool-3

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The charm and simplicity of this book look so very easy and are so difficult to achieve. Fish and Wave are new friends when Wave's nature gets a little scary. No fear, Wave has the answer for that. Just delightful story structure and illustrations from Master Sergio Ruzzier.

The I Can Read Comics introduction is terrific, giving the inside scoop on panels and how to read them.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

2023 ALA Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book for the most distinguished beginning reader book

An I Can Read book, level 1

Fish is looking for a friend sees a teeny, tiny wave. But the wave keeps getting bigger and scares the fish. When wave comes back small it tells fish to grab hold as he gets bigger again, and they learn to play together

[Anthony Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this a great young children's pictures book. There is great pictures throughout the book that will most certainly catch a Childs attention. Children are always read books that teach them lessons, and they are most certainly needed for a Childs development. But this book is fun and it allows the reader to enjoy with imagination.

[Isabella Michelini · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a sweet story about friendship between a fish and a wave. The tiny wave grows bigger and bigger leaving the fish to learn how to deal with this. This book gives the audience a playful idea of what it means to go with the flow. The stories main idea is a fish meeting a wave. Young readers will get a joy simply out of the artwork in this short story.

[Brielle DeSaulles · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is ideal for young readers who are just starting out. It has simple vocabulary and storyline with sweet dialogue. The art style reminds me of a comic book which I'm sure was intended and I am also sure children would love. I have used this book when tutoring young students and they enjoyed it.

[Alivia Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cute and simply children's book which will be very easy for beginning readers to read. It has very colorful pages with different color pinks and blues. This story starts off with the fish meeting the wave and the wave going over top of the fish and the fish gets scared. The story ends with the fish and wave becoming friends and having fun together.

[Abby Gerchak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was simple in a very charming way. The humor was gentle, and I liked the friendship between the two characters. The repetitive style works really well for early readers, and the story had a cute, calming tone. Even though it’s not action-packed, it has a sweet personality that makes it enjoyable to read.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very simple comic for beginning independent readers. The illustrations are simple but cute and there is a cause-and-effect, progressive story. I enjoy seeing a fish--an often overlooked animal species, as a main character.

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a lot of skill to make a beginning reader have a good story. With only simple words, this book has a charming little tale and sweet characters that can teach kids about making friends and celebrating differences.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very simple, yet quite dramatic, beginning reader book, told almost entirely in dialogue. It relies on the pictures to depict the drama; a great technique for a beginning word reader who already has great visual literacy.

[Abbi Steen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book won the Theodor Seuss Geisel award and I think it is a great and simple book for emergent readers. I like how simple the illustrations are, and the words are repetitive while also keeping the story fun and easy to follow.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely book by Sergio Ruzzier, in his Fish Comics series. Delightful.

Themes: fish, waves, oceans, friendship
Ages: toddler-K
Pub year: 2022

[Hayley Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fish and Wave is a comic book that teaches readers to go with the flow and how it is a good thing sometimes, it is a level-one comic for younger readers. This story allows readers to see what happens when a little wave grows bigger and bigger and how that affects the fish.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Leslie Sachlis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful very early graphic novel about friendship, courage, and accepting someone for who they are when the are very different from you. - a short gentle feel good early read.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fish and wave become friends. Simple yet adorable story. Great for beginning readers.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

Graphic novels aren't my forte. I just don't find much story.

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a tiny wave grows bigger and bigger, what's a fish to do? Fish and Wave by Sergio Ruzzier is a playful exploration of what it really means to go with the flow"--

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3